The Antarctic (US English /æntˈɑrktɪk/, UK
English /ænˈtɑrktɪk/ or /æntˈɑrtɪk/ and /ænˈtɑrtɪk/ or /ænˈɑrtɪk/)[Note 1] is a polar region, specifically the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around theNorth Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters, and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence.[4] The region covers some 20% of theSouthern Hemisphere, of which 5.5% (14 million km2) is the surface area of the continent itself.